EV Construction Announces Leadership Transition and $100,000 Legacy Scholarship Fund at 10th Annual Alive365™ Safety Week Symposium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Stefanie Herder
616.392.2383
stefanieh@ev.construction
EV Construction Announces Leadership Transition and $100,000 Legacy Scholarship Fund at 10th Annual Alive365™ Safety Week Symposium
Holland, MI – March 11, 2025 - EV Construction marked a historic moment at its 10th annual Safety Symposium with the announcement of the planned retirement of Tony Roussey, a long-time leader and advocate for workplace safety and construction excellence. In honor of his years of dedication to the industry, the remaining owners of EV Construction surprised him with the establishment of the Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship at the West Michigan Construction Institute (WMCI).
As a founding board member of WMCI, Tony served as board president in 2024 and continues to make a lasting impact on the organization’s mission to build strong communities by preparing the next generation of construction professionals for a lifelong career.
The Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship serves as the initial $100,000 contribution to an endowment fund at WMCI, with the goal of creating a legacy that supports scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in construction. The endowment will provide a platform for other construction companies and trade partners to make contributions in honor of key team members’ retirements in the future, ensuring that Tony’s impact extends far beyond his time with EV Construction.
Honoring a Career of Impact
Tony grew up as the son of a general contractor, and has since been a fixture in the construction industry for over 57 years. As the Chief Operating Officer and former Safety Director of EV Construction, Tony has worked tirelessly with staff, clients, architects, and trade contractors to ensure successful projects, exceptional safety standards, and a positive work environment. His legacy includes pioneering EV Construction’s Alive365ä: Safety Week, a program to help foster safety training throughout the region.
Throughout his career, Tony has led EV Construction to earn numerous accolades, including the 2012, 2016 and 2024 Michigan Contractor of the Year awards through the American Subcontractors Association of Michigan (ASAM), the Safety Pinnacle Award and Safety Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors National (ABC) and the Safety Contractor of the Year Award from ABC’s Western Michigan Chapter multiple times. These awards highlight Tony’s exceptional commitment to safety and quality in the construction industry, as well as his ability to lead teams to achieve remarkable results.
“This scholarship fund is an incredible honor,” said Tony. “Everything I’ve done throughout my career has been about the people—the workers, the leaders, and the community we build together. Knowing this fund will help future generations of tradespeople is truly meaningful to me.”
For EV Construction, this scholarship represents a celebration of Tony’s legacy. “Tony’s vision for safety and education have shaped the culture at EV Construction and across the industry,” said Mike Novakoski, President and CEO at EV Construction. “The Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship will ensure that his commitment to developing future leaders lives on for generations.”
Jen Schottke, President of WMCI, shared, “At WMCI, we believe that opportunity should never be limited by financial barriers. This generous lead gift from EV Construction, given in honor of Tony Roussey, not only cements his incredible legacy in the construction industry but also opens doors for future generations of skilled trades professionals. Tony’s journey—from the trades to executive leadership—embodies the potential our students have when given the right support and opportunity.
Beyond his exceptional professional achievements, Tony has been an invaluable leader at WMCI, serving as our board chairman with vision, dedication, and a deep, personal commitment to our mission. His leadership has strengthened our school and expanded opportunities for students seeking careers in construction. This scholarship endowment will not only remove financial obstacles but also recognize and reward students who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their craft. We are deeply grateful to EV Construction for investing in the future of our students and the construction workforce. We are deeply honored that Tony’s legacy will live on through WMCI students for generations to come.”
Tony plans to retire at the end of 2025. EV Construction will share further details on the transition and a formal retirement celebration in the coming months. Those interested in contributing to the Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship can contact WMCI for more information.
West Michigan Construction Institute
616.208.9624
www.wmcinstitute.com